03

Today's Promise

Dr. Bill Bright

His Power to Change

"But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior the Lord Jesus
Christ is; and we are looking forward to His return from there. When He comes
back He will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious
bodies like His own, using the same mighty power that He will use to conquer all
else everywhere" (Philippians 3:20,21).

George Gallup, Jr., a deeply religious and dear personal friend, has just
completed a very important survey asking people, in face-to-face, in-depth
interviews, key questions about heaven and hell and other aspects about life
beyond death.

One result indicated that two-thirds of all American adults - or 100 million
people - believe in an after-life. But what was surprising, said Gallup, was
that about 15 percent of those surveyed in one poll indicated they had had an
unusual near-death experience - seeing figures or objects that beckoned them to
a world beyond life on earth.

Dwight L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him a few hours before
leaving this earth for his heavenly mansion.

"Earth recedes, heaven opens before me," he said, awakening from a
sleep. "If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is
calling me, and I must go."

A son stood by his bedside. "No, no, father," he said, "you
are dreaming."

"No," said Moody, "I am not dreaming. I have been within the
gates. I have seen the children's faces."

A short time passed, then followed what his family thought to be the death
struggle. "This is my triumph," Moody said. "This is my
coronation day. It is glorious!"

Nothing in that true story contradicts Scripture in any way. One of God's
choice saints simply had a foretaste of his heavenly home, related for our joy
and encouragement and edification.

TODAY'S ACTION POINT:
Realizing afresh that my homeland is in heaven with my Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, and that the time of my departure from this earth is unknown but
certain, I shall take advantage of every opportunity to encourage others to be
ready for their time of departure, as I prepare for my own.